AIADMK specifies visual norm on publicity material

With a view to avoiding petty squabbles among the AIADMK cadre that would malign the image of the organisation, the party on Saturday banned the use of photographs of ministers, party office-bearers, MPs and MLAs in its publicity material.

“In accordance with the tradition of the party, the office-bearers and cadre should use only the pictures of Periyar, Arignar Anna, MGR (MG Ramachandran) and Jayalalithaa,” an announcement made by the AIADMK headquarters here with the approval of party chief Jayalalithaa, said.

The publicity material include wall posters, advertisements and banners used for party functions and public meetings. “Printing the names of those taking part in the function would be sufficient. Disciplinary action will be taken against those who violate this norm,” a party statement said.

Citing some incidents that had led to squabbles among the party office-bearers and cadre, it said when a minister attends a programme, the banners carry only the picture of the minister and ignore the pictures of others.

Retaliating, some other functionaries display advertisements with the pictures of those close to them, ignoring the picture of the minister, thus leading to squabbles.” “There were reports that because of the squabbles, a section of partymen tore the banners put up for pubic functions.”

“Ultimately, such incidents malign the reputation of the party and create wrong precedents... Printing the names of those taking part in the function would be sufficient,” the statement added.